2013 Cadillac ATS

GM Takes Aim at BMW. No, Seriously.

Development of the new 2013 Cadillac ATS was considered such a priority, it was one of the few programs that was not stopped during GM's bankruptcy. Why? Because the ATS is GM's entree into the largest luxury vehicle segment in the world, a segment basically created by BMW's 3 Series. This is the car that will make Cadillac a global luxury brand.
The new ATS faithfully follows the segment-defining BMW's formula. In fact, chief engineer Dave Masch would probably argue his baby Caddy follows it even more faithfully than BMW. The dynamic benchmark for the ATS was the E46 3 Series, the car many enthusiasts still regard as best of the breed. Masch's team believes BMW moved away from the driver-focused chassis tune of the E46 with the current 3 Series -- the E90 -- and expects that trend will continue with the next-gen 3 Series due later this year. They see an opportunity for Cadillac.
The ATS is virtually all-new from the tires up. About the only parts that could be considered carryover are the revised 3.6-liter DI V-6 and the 6L45E six-speed automatic transmission. It rolls on GM's new lightweight Alpha architecture - the base ATS weighs just over 3300 pounds -- and the chassis has been tuned to deliver razor-sharp steering, precise handling, and buttoned-down ride. The car has been optimized around 17- and 18-inch wheels to keep weight down and improve agility.The first pre-production cars rolled down the line at the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant in Michigan just before Christmas. The ATS will launch as a sedan only, but coupe, convertible and wagon versions will be rolled out over the next two to three years. There will also be V-series versions. No official word on powertrain for the ATS-V, but a twin-turbo version of the 3.6-liter V-6 looks likely, partly because of the tight underhood packaging, but also because rivals like BMW's next-gen M3 are moving to smaller forced induction powerplants.

THE ATS IN DETAILEngines

First application of GM's new Gen II Ecotec four-cylinder engine in a Cadillac. The engine features dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and variable valve timing. It will be used in a wide variety of GM products, but the versions fitted to the ATS will be the most powerful.

Base engine is the 200-hp Gen II Ecotec 2.5-liter DI four, which made its debut in the new Chevy Malibu. The engine will power the base RWD car with FE2 suspension.

A 2.0-liter turbo Gen II Ecotec with 270 hp will make its debut in the ATS. This engine has the broadest bandwidth and will be used in RWD and AWD auto, RWD manual models, and with FE2 and FE3 suspensions.

Carryover 3.6-liter DI V-6 is revised for improved refinement and is rated at 318 hp in this application.

Transmissions

GM's 6L45E six-speed auto is standard transmission, and gets magnesium paddle shifters with FE3 suspension. Eight-speed autos are in the plan, but GM was forced to delay development during the bankruptcy.

An all-new Tremec six-speed manual will be available with the Turbo. Designed specifically for GM, it has a magnesium casing for weight reduction.

Suspension

Front: MacPherson struts with aluminum control arms connected to an aluminum subframe.

Options include a new connected infotainment system called CUE, for Cadillac User Experience.

Available safety features include adaptive cruise control, brake assist, and lane departure warning.

ATS UNDER THE SKINTHE ALPHA SCENARIOWhat the new architecture could mean for GM
If you love driving, the new Alpha architecture that underpins the Cadillac ATS could well be the single most important investment in hardware GM makes this decade. The lightweight Alpha architecture ensures rear drive cars have a future at GM despite tougher fuel economy targets worldwide. And not just in terms of variations on a baby Cadillac theme."It's scalable," admits Dave Leone, vehicle line executive for Global RWD and Performance Vehicles at GM. "In both directions." That's extremely significant, because what Leone is saying is Alpha can be configured to underpin cars that are smaller or larger than the 3 Series-sized Cadillac ATS. And, remember, Leone is the man ultimately responsible for all the next-gen rear drive and performance cars coming from GM over the next decade, from Corvette and Camaro to Cadillac CTS and Holden Commodore.
Reading between the lines, and it's clear Alpha will be scaled up to underpin the next-gen CTS, which will grow in size slightly over the current car to bring it more closely in line with 5 Series BMW and E-Class Mercedes. A slightly larger Alpha will also probably be used for the next-gen Camaro, which needs to become leaner and trimmer not just to compete with Mustang, but to boost its sales potential in export markets.
Corvette will remain a spaceframe car, and the Holden Commodore and forthcoming full-size Cadillac sedan will likely move to a second-generation Zeta architecture with lots of lightweight steel in the main structure, and the ability to use lightweight aluminum suspension components on the Cadillac version. So what else could Alpha be used for?Well, scale it down, and you have the basis for an affordable baby Corvette -- a smaller coupe and roadster with V-6 and four-cylinder power that could support GM's big banger sports car in much the same way Boxster/Cayman support Porsche's 911. GM wants to give Corvette more of a unique brand identity, to give it a little more distance from the quotidian Chevrolet brand, particularly in export markets.Stingray, anyone?

Driven a BMW Lately? I turned in a 2008 535i sport but did not replace it with another BMW. Reason? They changed the steering and feel of the car completely. No soul, No road feel, Boring, Boring, Boring.....

@syj - My comment about the wheels was based on the photos accompanying this article. The polished appearance--whatever the underlying metal may be--seems contrived and, to me at least, undesirable. Admittedly it's refreshing to see GM setting lofty goals with upcoming vehicles but billing the ATS as Cadillac's ticket to "global luxury brand" status seems a bit ambitious to me. If Cadillac really wanted to break new ground, they should have targeted BMW's 1.8L turbo diesel engine (from the 320d ED) and the AWD systems from Nissan's GTR and/or Mitsu's Lancer EVO, and paired those up with GM's hybridization tech, offered in sedan and wagon body styles, with the referenced magnesium 6MT standard across the line. For customers looking for more power, a higher displacement tdi (3.0L?) similar to that offered by Audi in the 2012 European A6 would do nicely. Instead GM gives us its attempt to reverse-engineer a car BMW made years ago.

The interior is nicely done. I have no doubt it handles and performs competently with the 318hp motor. This car as are all current Cadillacs save the SUV are justButt Fugly. My son was drawing cars just like these when he was in first grade.

I don't really care for the exterior looks of the ATS as it looks too much like the other Caddys but The interior is quite attractive. It looks like Caddy is going in the right direction. If it really is as resposive and sporty as the claims, it may steal some 3 Series and C Class sales. A good effort from GM.

You can tell how good a domestic car is by how ridiculous the detractors sound. Inrunyasa's comment is typical of the haters who are grasping at straws to find faults with this car. He said its not close to the bullseye- he has no credibility- same with others who cant accept what Cadillac has done here.

cmdentzeL:Im not sure why this has so many confused but the ATS does NOT have chrome wheels. The car shown has optional POLISHED wheels. They are not dipped in chrome. And they are OPTIONAL. The car they had on stage had PAINTED 18" wheels with a different design. Saying you dont like this car because it has "chrome wheels" is just dumb. I notice few are talking about the fact that the new 3 series has chrome on some trim levels. @nature:The 2.5L is the base engine and it will have more power than Malibu. This car will aslo be lighter than Malibu. I doubt the 2.5L will even be available with the sport suspension or larger wheels. The 2L turbo is the primary engine for this car. Acura, Lexus and Infiniti share engines with their lower branded brethren. Cadillac is no different.

Ok from what I am getting, GM says this is a better car than a 3 series, If it is so, Then it means this ATS isa BETTER car than the G37/35, The audi A4/S5, Acura Tl, Merc. Benz C class and Lexus Is. GMC needs to remember that there are other special cars in this segment that are that damn good, Like the G37, A4 and even C class. We will see it once this comes out. Too bad they are using a Malibu engine,,definitely nothing wrong with it but many morons who love this segment might be turned off. Personally I wouldn't buy an ATS, In stead I will get an S5 Audi, G37 or 33i No matter how damn good is gonna be. It wont disappoint But if it comes on top in this segment, I will be SHOCKED! Good thoughts on the engineering f this car, Decent, nice and good technology.

I'm not like many here...whom have a deep bias for one brand versus another, or say foreign vs domestic...or what have you. I may lean one way or another, but not nearly afraid to admit when I think a brand of car I wouldn't normally look at too hard is actually great. That said, I'd take this over a comparable BMW for sure.

Wow, same boring design. *yawn* BMW is probably laughing right about now. competition my butt. Exterior is a warmed over CTS. Interior resembles that of any boring Opel-rebadged Buick or worst yet, a Maliboo. This is a non-competitive, forgettable and laughable design.

>Gavas - Today 04:11 PM>Chrome everywhere? Hardly. It's very tastefully done. >It has no more chrome than a C class or a 3 series.Wrong. See, e.g., the chrome wheels. Not going to find those on a German competitor's car, and with good reason. They're fugly.

I want to get excited about this car, GM, I really do, but, like many vehicles GM has come up with over the past 30 years, the ATS seems destined to fall well short of the mark. 1) Unlike BMW (and Audi, VW, Jaguar, and Mercedes), GM offers no DI turbo-diesel engine for the ATS. 2) Too much chrome. Rule of thumb is chrome = bad, unless referring to the web browser. 3) Automatic transmission standard; no manual transmission (or turbo powerplant) with AWD. 4) Like most modern Cadillacs before it, the wheels are utterly uninspired *and* uninspiring. 5) Car will be (like the CTS before it) WILDLY OVERPRICED. That car was advertised as starting at $32k but with options it could swell to $52k+. Four trim levels: (i) stripped down package with next to nothing; (ii) package with a couple desirable features and a bunch nobody wants to pay for; (iii) larded up with even more features nobody wants to pay for; and (iv) the top-of-the-line model that costs $10k more than the competition.

pmirp:Everything Ive said to you not related to styling is factual. Styling is subjecttive. I have to question the intelligence of anyone who thinks that cars like the ATS will lead GM to a second bankruptcy. The fact that you're making such statements show you are unreasonable and totally biased. There are no chrome wheels on this car. They are polished, the CTS doesn't offer chrome wheel either. Wrong again.

BMW13:Its not the same engine. if you bothered to read the specs on the GS you would note it has 295lb-ft of torque. Also the GS is about 300lbs MORE than this car. And you are wrong, GS hits 60 in 6.2secs. In fact, nothing you said was accurate. Read up on these cars and you might learn something. toycrusher:Fusion is FWD and tops out at 237hp- its not a 3 series competitior. Not close.

@syjname calling does not win an argument.Show me the facts. Troll is you whom simply has to try to prove a point against any anti GM comment. People like you are the reason GM went bankrupt, the rest of us who has to bear the cost, don't want repeat performance with weak exercises like this.As I said, the exterior of ATS is weak, with chrome everywhere. chrome wheels? come on man. That is like so yesteryear, please...

Look like they got all the good stuff in check, light weight, near perfect weight distribution and with the FE3 suspension they get brembo brake and a quick steering ratio.The outside look good and it's nice that they offer more then just one or 2 choice of interior colors, the only complain I have is the look of the rear which I found so-so but that just personal opinion.

Don't get me wrong, this has the makings of a great car and it will probably dance circles around the BMW, but I just don't see it swaying buyers who are attracted to the looks of the 3-series(or any series since they are all nearly identical).In my opinion, for whatever it's worth, I think the new Fusion makes a better 3-series competitor from an aesthetic point of view. Any one else agree? Performance wise, there's no comparison of course.

So how is this engine any different then the one in the Regal Turbo GS that has 270 HP. That pig does 0-60 in 6.7 seconds so it can't even beat an X3 with the X3 base engine. I'm willing to bet the N20 3 series with a turbo 4 will be as fast as the 3.6 Caddy and forget about the 335. BMW way underrates the HP on the N20. GM's premier brand using a 6 speed automatic, what a high tech auto, really innovative.

@toycrusher:You failed to mention A4, IS or G37- they are all competitors as well. Many badge snobs only care about the badge, but if your predictions made sense the CTS would've been a failure- it hasnt been. @steely:This car looks very little like the first CTS. The front end is totally different from that car. Just because both have vertical headlights doesnt mean they are dead ringers for each other.

@Jamziz - I can not agree with you more, the turbo in manual and AWD would have pretty much sold me as well. I currently drive a G35 Sedan 6MT and winter driving here in the NE is causing my traction control to light up like no tomorrow. I am heavily considering an Audi A4 since I am not a fan of the design elements & reliability issues of the 3 series MT AWD. Other than that, the pickings are slim for gear rowers out here.

I like this car and I probably would buy one. I am currently driving a Audi A4 and would love Cadillac to offer a manual transmission available with awd. If they really want to compete with the 3 series they should offer this combo. Buick's Regal is nice but the European variant comes available with a turbo charged v6 with awd and a manual trans.

I don't see this as competition to the 3-series. From what I see, 90-95% of 3-series owners bought their car for one reason, it was the least expensive way to get the little BMW logo on the hood. Most could care less about the actual performance of the vehicle.Same goes for owners of c-class Mercedes, just a different logo they were shooting for. The only thing this is going to compete with is the CTS.However, once this chasis gets underneath the Camaro, all bets are off. Just imagine what the ZL1 engine could do on this thing?!

I am impressed , looks cool , goes fast , and kicks butt haha. I always thought cadillac needed some go fast cars in its line up. As for anti BMW they got some work to do but not on style or luxury just performance and feel.

pmirp:I dont work for GM but I do suggest you get your eyes checked. The G37 a design leader? are you serious? The car is 5 years old and has one of the most generic designs on the market. You are a clueless troll dude. You cannot give credit where its due. Do you hate all American cars, or just GM car? This car is LIGHTER than the G37, almost as powerful and more distinctively styled. People like you complain if cadillacs are too daring but then you complain that the ATS is too conservative. You are grasping for straws. And LOL at the people saying Cadillacs all look similar. Really? but BMWs and Audis dont share design traits?

At BMWxxx6, (and anyone else whining about this looking like a CTS) I don't hear you whining about the 3, 5 and 7 series all looking the same; or Audis entire lineup, or Aston Martin and Porsche having identical design language within their lineup. At least the CTS actually looks good, BMWs? Well, they're good to drive, thats all i can say. Anyway Im looking forward to the V model, Cadillac has really done their homework for once.

Cadillac REALLY needs a new design language. The cars are better than ever - actually they are quite great - but they all look the same and they look lame...what was groundbreaking in the 2004 (XLR) just looks old in 2012.

syj says: dude, spare us- we know you don't approve of anything GM makes. This design is far more interesting than anything from Japan in this segment. You might sound credible if you weren't suggesting that the G37 and IS have daring designs. COme one man, be serious. This car will be INSTANTLY recognizable as a cadillac as opposed to some generic Japanese luxury car. It doesn't look like some melted down version of a real design like Infiniti and lexus products. syj, This is weak exterior design. There is no intention to make it stand out. And the use of chrome on door handles and wheels, is typical weak GM. I know you are a GM employee, but you need to understand that the design leadership in this segment is set by BMW and G37. Lexus has done a nice job in this segment too. No professional would be seen dead in this chrome laden Caddy if their lives depended on it.

It looks exactly like a CTS with long headlights. Wow, really imaginative!! At least it has glowing door handles because..you know, I have no idea where the door handles are on my car. it's also absolutely crucial that Im able to see my door handles from a distance! Cadillac is definitely catering to idiotic Americans that consume anything just because.

Im glad to see GM could build a "light weight" car.. I know they could not afford the high strenght steel in the last few years, however this is the key to future relevence in the market.I understand why so many people bash GM for the bailout, but keep in mind that 1,000,000 jobs depend on GM and 13 years ago Hyundai was bailed out by the Korean GVT. Hopefully we never have to go through this again and GM can be competitive and profitable.

What BD conveniently overlooks is that the FWD biased CT, HS and ES are all "downmarket" from anything that Cadillac sells.Yes, Cadillac had more $$ on the hood, but that's b/c they sell a lot more expensive Escalades.Most of Lexus' sales are on the LOWER end of the market, hence, the avg. transaction price for Lexus being $42,902, while Cadillac's is $48,312 (about the same as for Mercedes).The avg. transaction price for Lexus is right with Infiniti and below that for Lincoln. lolhttp://blog.truecar.com/2010/10/15/luxe-brands-thriving-in-weak-economy/

how is Infiniti downmarket from Cadillac? it has better cars than cadillac and the M56 will hand the XTS its ass over and over again the way my G35 hands the first gen CTS its ass. ive done it a few times.

BMWisawesome123, you are clearly one of those suckers who overpays for stuff... if you bought a BMW.. LOL. But that ok, don't feel bad. The world goes around by people taking advantage of suckers :) ...Of course I've never owned a BMW, although I could go out tomorrow and pay cash for one. Because I'm not a sucker ... like you!! Fritz and Hans thank you though! As far as the low class comment...LOL!!!! That was truly hilarious considering that chances are you are a total douchbag (aka typical BMW driver) that is probably barely qualified to shine my shoes at best!!!

BlackDynamite, it depends on how one sees it. To me x $ on the hood means nothing, those are all marketing bs. I only care about bottom line price and value per dollar paid. One could say that BMWs are overpriced and Caddies are priced just right or one could say that BMWs are priced just right and Caddies are priced at a discount. Both would be right. But I still think you get much better value with a Cadillac vs a BMW.

I had no intest in the ATS at first. But Cadillac really does have a chance to surprise everyone. Can't wait to see how they go about this. And hopefully if they intend the CTS to go against E Class/5 series/XF/A6, they'll make some MAJOR improvements all-round. Cadillac and Acura are kind of doing the same thing moving their models up a class (though, arguably Cadillac is a bit more successful at the moment excluding the MDX)

to trollhatters point regarding having the same engine as the Buick, this is a new 2.0 liter engine with much improved NVH and other dynamic improvments although its the same size. Combine that with the new 6speed manual and 3300 on paper it seems like a real winner at least on paper. Perhaps even class leading Go GM!!!!

GavasCadillacs are for those who need $4-5k on the hood to buy anything(Caddy is the reigning record holder in luxury car incentives)Nothing is "downmarket" from Cadillac. They only sell 3 models now!BD

@Gavas, thankyou for thinking im hilarious it really tickles me pink. I have never over paid for any BMW. Obviously you are just lower class that really admires BMWs'because they arent always in the shop. Which means to tell me once again you havnt owned a BMW ever. Im sure youll come back with something like ohhh i worked in repair shops or your retired or some kind of bull shit like that but whatever. Anyways check the recall roundups everywhere cadillac has WAY more recalls than BMW. enough said

Too many armchair drivers making judgements on a car from a spec sheet, marketing spin, a tech write-up, and some online pictures. None of us has even driven the ATS, not even any of the journalists. I'm looking forward to seeing and driving one in person. I will say that it looks promising and that the Alpha architecture seems very interesting. However, C/D reports that the only model with a manual will be the 2.0T RWD, which would be supremely disappointing if true.